Self-sealing fuel tank



APrll 1945- R. A. CRAWFORD SELF-SEALING FUEL TANK Filed June 13, 1942 d m w mf 5 g m Patented pr. 24, 1945 2,374,332 SELF-SEALINGFUEL TANK Richard A. The B. F.

Crawford, Akron, Ohio, assiznor to Goodrich Company, New York, N.

a corporation of New York Application June 13, 1942, Serial No. 446,875

3 Claims.

This invention relates to self-sealing fuel tanks and pertains specifically to a method for fastening baifles therein.

Self-sealing fuel tanks are widely used in airplanes, tanks, and other military vehicles which are exposed to gunfire. The self-sealing tank wall structure usually comprises an inner oil-resistant lining, e. g., a thin layer of metal, 011- resistant synthetic rubber, cellulose ester or ether, or the like; an intermediate sealing layer consisting of a self-adhesive material which swells when in contact with gasoline or oil, such as unvulcanized rubber; and an outer cover of leather, rubber, fabric, or some similar tear-resistant material. A supporting shell of metal, wood, or some similar relatively rigid material is provided to prevent distortion of the tank when filled. In many such tanks it is necessary to provide baflies in order to reduce the splashing and to keep a supply of the fuel over the outlet at all times, and also to prevent excessive strains on the supporting framework, especially in airplanes, caused by distortion of the tank walls due to the weight of the liquid. It is necessary to fasten the battles to the walls of the tank because a ballie assembly which is merely fitted loosely into the inside of the tank soon chafes through the thin gasoline-resistant lining and causes destruction of the tank. It has been found to be impractical to construct the tank in the form of separate cells placed in the compartments of a baflled metal tank because of the great expense and labor involved, and because of the excessive weight of the finished tank. The same objections apply to tanks constructed in the form of baifled tanks of metal or other suitable material and lined with a bullet-sealing gasoline-resistant lining.

I have now discovered a method for constructing a baflled self-sealing tank which is inexpensive and which makes possible the repair or replacement of the baflies without difficulty. Several embodiments of my invention are shown in the appended drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away and in section, of the finished tank with bafiies in place;

Fig. 2 is a detailed section taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is a detailed section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detailed views, corresponding to Fig, 2, showing various modifications of the structure.

In Fig. 1, the baflles I, 2' are shown in position inside the tank 3 which is enclosed in a shell 4 terial, or other suitable rigid materials. A layer .T with a rivet or bolt ll of a gasoline-resistant material such as polychloroprene, a copolymer of butadiene with acrylonitrile, or the like is molded over the rigid core in order to act as a cushion to prevent the sharp edges of the core ID from cutting into the wall of the self-sealing tank. The wall of the tank proper, comprising an outer tear-resistant cover l2, a sealing layer l3, and an inner oilresistant lining It, is slotted to permit the passage therethrough of the leg of the T-shaped member. The joint between the leg of the T and the inner surface of the tank wall is sealed with a strip of oiland gasoline-resistant material l5, preferably the same material as is used to line the tank. The baflle I may be made of metal, an oil-resistant resinous material such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, or the like, fiber impregnated with a gasoline-resistant resin, vulcanized fiber, or other still gasoline-resistant material. The baflle is fastened to the leg of the [6, while the head of the T is fastened to the tank wall with a layer of adhesive at H. A layer of adhesive l8 may also be used to reinforce or even to replace entirely the rivet l6.

In Fig. 4 is shown a modification of this structure in which the T-member is formed from a sheet of fabric 20 impregnated with or adhered to a sheet of synthetic resinous material, hard rubber, or the like as a stifiening member. Here the layer ll of cushioning material is omitted, the head of the T being adhered directly to the outer wall of the tank and also to the metal shell with a layer of adhesive 2|. The sealing strip I5 is used to prevent leakage of the gasoline around the T, and the baflle I is fastened to the T with a bolt or rivet It.

In another embodiment in Fig. 5, the molded cushion ll of plastic material is also omitted, the rigid core III of the T-member being adhered directly to the outer surface 12 of the tank wall and covered inside with a strip l5 of gasoline-resistant rubber or of my invention, shown other similar material. The bafllle I is fastened to the leg of the T by rivet l8, and in addition the head of the T is fastened to the outer metallic shell of the tank with rivets or screws l9.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6 the T is formed from a continuous loop 22 of fabric which is pushed through a slot in the tank wall and in the metal cover. Into the part of the loop remaining outside of the metal shell is inserted a strip 23 of metal: wood, or the like which serves to expand the loop and form the head of the T. The part of the T extending into the tank is covered with sealing strip l and fastened to baifle I by means of bolt or rivet 16.

The number of T-members required to hold each baffle in place depends upon the size of the baille and tank, and upon the particular construction of the T-member used. The bafiles may be inserted and fastened either before or after vulcanization of the remainder of the tank, but preferably before. A small opening through the wall of the tank provides access for carrying out the riveting or bolting operation.

The method of my invention is particularly advantageous in that it permits the repair or re placement of baflles after they have been installed, and indeed permits the installation of additional baflles at 'any time, if they are found to be necessary.

Although I have herein disclosed specific embodiments of my invention I do not intend. to limit myself solely thereto, but to include all the obvious variations and modifications which lie within the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A self-sealing fuel tank comprising an outer supporting wall of relatively rigid material and a self-sealing tank wall structure disposed within the supporting wall, a ballle disposed within said tank, and supporting means attached to both the bailie and the self-sealing tank wall structure for supporting the baille within the tank, said sup- 7 porting means comprising a plate member associated in parallel relation with and between said supporting wall and said self-sealing tank wall structure, and a second member extending inwardly of the tank from said plate member through the said self-sealing tank wall'structure and sealed thereto at the inner surface thereof.

2. A self-sealing fuel tank comprising an outer supporting wall of relatively rigid material and a self-sealing tank wall structure disposed within the supporting wall, a baille disposed within said tank, and supporting means attached to both the baille and the self-sealing tank wall structure for supporting the baiile within the tank, said supporting means comprising a plate member disposed in parallel relation between and fastened to said supporting wall and said self-sealing tank wall structure, and a second member extending inwardly of the tank from said plate member through the said self-sealing tank wall structure and sealed thereto at the inner surface thereof.

3. A self-sealing fuel tank comprising an outer supporting wall of relatively rigid material and a. self-sealing tank wall structure, disposed within the suporting wall, comprising an outer layer of tough, tear-resistant material, an intermediate layer of self-adherent material which swells in gasoline, and an inner gasoline resistant layer, a baflle disposed within said tank, and supporting means attached to both the baffle and the selfsealing tank wall structure for supporting the baflle within the tank, said supporting means comprising a plate member disposed in parallel relation between and fastened to said supporting wall and said self-sealing tank wall structure. and a second member extending inwardly of the tank from said plate member through the selfsealing tank wall structure and sealed thereto at RICHARD A. CRAWFORD. 

